How to drive to Albania: ferries from Italy to Durrës, border crossings from Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece, documents and road tips.
Bringing your own car, van or motorhome is the best way to see Albania, and most of our guests drive in. Some come off the overnight ferry from Italy; others have been working their way down the Balkans for weeks. Either way, these are the things we wish everyone knew before they set off.
01Taking the ferry from Italy
For most drivers coming from western and northern Europe, the ferry across the Adriatic is the easiest way in. The most popular route is Bari to Durrës, with frequent sailings and a crossing of roughly nine hours. Many run overnight, so you sleep in a cabin and drive off in the morning. Longer routes run to Durrës from Ancona and Trieste, and in the south there are ferries from Brindisi to Vlorë.
Schedules and operators change from season to season, so check the latest timetables before you plan. For July and August, book well ahead, especially with a large vehicle, and have its exact length and height ready when you book.
02Arriving at Durrës port
The port sits right next to the city center, and once you’re through the checks you’re on the road in minutes. Wonderful Camping is about fifteen minutes away, on a quiet lake among pomegranate trees and olive groves. It’s an easy first night in Albania after a long crossing, and a relaxed last night before you sail home.
Every pitch has electricity, and there are showers, drinking water, Wi-Fi, a washing machine and a car wash, so you can reset before the rest of the trip. Coming in on an evening ferry? Message us on WhatsApp before you arrive so we know to expect you.
03Crossing from Montenegro
If you’re driving down the Adriatic coast through Croatia and Montenegro, there are two main crossings. Hani i Hotit, near Lake Shkodër, is on the main road from Podgorica, and Muriqan–Sukobin is the natural choice coming from Ulcinj and the coast. Both get you to Shkodër in under an hour, and from there it’s roughly two hours south to Durrës.
04Crossing from Kosovo
From Kosovo, the fastest way in is the Morinë–Vërmicë crossing near Prizren. On the Albanian side, the motorway known as the Road of the Nation (Rruga e Kombit) cuts through the mountains and the Kalimash tunnel toward the coast. It’s a toll road, and one of the quickest routes into central Albania from the north-east.
05Crossing from North Macedonia
From North Macedonia, most drivers cross at Qafë Thanë, west of Struga, or at Tushemisht on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid, near Pogradec. Both lead into eastern Albania, and a night by the lake is well worth it before you head west toward Elbasan, Tirana and the coast.
06Crossing from Greece
From Greece, the main crossing is Kakavijë, on the road to Gjirokastër. Kapshticë leads to Korçë in the south-east, and Qafë Botë, not far from Igoumenitsa, is handy for Sarandë and Ksamil. There are also short ferries from Corfu to Sarandë, popular with foot passengers.
07What documents do I need to drive in Albania?
Bring a valid passport or ID card, your driving license and the vehicle registration document. Your insurance must cover Albania. The country is part of the Green Card system, so check that Albania (AL) isn’t crossed out on your Green Card, or buy border insurance when you arrive. Driving a rental or leased vehicle? Make sure you have written permission to take it abroad. There’s no vignette in Albania; tolls are paid on the roads that have them.
08What is driving in Albania like?
Albanians drive on the right. Speed checks and police stops are common, so stick to the limits and keep your documents within reach. The legal alcohol limit is extremely low, so the simple rule is: if you’re driving, don’t drink at all.
Expect the unexpected. Cars overtake suddenly or stop in the road to chat, there are pedestrians and cyclists on the shoulder, and in the countryside there may be cows, sheep or goats around the next bend. Roundabouts can be chaotic, so take them slowly. Skip mountain roads after dark, and be careful after rain, when some roads get slippery. In the cities, traffic is heavy and parking is scarce, so it’s often easier to park outside the center and walk or take a taxi.
09Fuel, tolls and money on the road
There are fuel stations everywhere along the main roads, and many sell LPG too. Bigger stations take cards, but carry some cash in lek for smaller ones, roadside cafés and village shops. Mobile coverage is good on the main routes; download offline maps before you head into the mountains.
10Your first night in Albania
However you arrive, central Albania makes a good first stop. At Wonderful Camping you can plug in, have a shower and a coffee overlooking the whole camp, and let the journey fade as the lights come on around the lake. The rest of the country starts from there. Our 10-day road trip itinerary and our guide to camping in Albania will help you plan what comes next.
